Slovenian National Theatre thoroughly restored and upgraded

15 January 2012

The Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana was thoroughly restored and upgraded – after six years, the doors of the main Slovenian opera-ballet house were officially open for visitors with a concert Coalescence of Centuries. Nowadays, the new Opera Ballet speaks two languages: the language of tradition and language of urban technology. In 2012, the 120th anniversary will be celebrated with a rich program.

The Opera and Ballet Ljubljana returned a couple of weeks ago, with the sounds of a fanfare, to the main house after the concluded construction work that gave the building a new image – the restoration project of the opera house was undertaken especially due to acoustic and spatial problems. Art ensembles, who worked in this period in difficult conditions, scattered around eight locations in the capital, obtained modern rehearsal rooms and the most technically advanced stage; moreover, at the entry, visitors will notice the beautifully restored hall and modern reception hall with several access points. However, the initial charm of the Ljubljana opera house was preserved – namely, despite the hesitation with joining the modern with the new Renaissance style, the new opera house respects the tradition and offers something new.

The main Slovenian music theatre, SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, has been operating since 1892 in the building that was, as a provincial theatre in the new Renaissance style, constructed according to the plans of Czech architects Jan V. Hrasky and Anton Hruby, but has been closed to the public during the last six years. The theatre building, constructed in 1892, has a varied history. At the turn of the 20th century, it housed first the German Theatre (Nemško gledališče) and then the Provincial Theatre (Deželno gledališče). 1918 saw the establishment of the theatre`s opera and ballet ensembles and orchestra, which, after the Second World War, began to tour outside the country, receiving international acclaim.

During the opening, the national opera and ballet house also presented a new corporate image, opened a new web portal for visitors and issued a monograph about the SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana entitled Coalescence of Centuries. This was also the title of the opening ceremony that was broadcast by the Slovenian National Television station; moreover, it is also the slogan of all events and activities within the framework of the opening, move and 120th anniversary of activities, that will leave a mark in the coming year under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Danilo Türk.